Chapter Two.
Divorced at last. Clint had dragged shit out as much as he could, and then Damon proved multiple affairs. Five in the space of a year. Three at the same time! Damn, Clint had been busy. Damon’s PI had also unearthed evidence that Clint had married me for the Spalding fortune.
Worse, Clint’s long-term mistress (LTM, as I fondly called her) had admitted the entire plan to a rather handsome private investigator from Hawthorne’s PI.
A few drinks, some false flattery, and LMT was putty in his hands.
The judge had given me half of everything, and Clint had broken up with LTM.
I was damn lucky we hadn’t had kids. God, that would have been a real nightmare and tied us together for life.
I glanced at my watch and cursed. Late, late, late.
I hoped the leather store would still be open.
I’d ordered Gramps’s gift a couple of days prior and needed to collect it today.
But yeah, as usual, my sense of timing was off.
I’d picked up an extra shift that was supposed to have ended an hour ago, but hadn’t.
FML. Why couldn’t volunteers arrive when they agreed to?
I raced into the building, which had a multitude of shops, and looked for the leather one. I’d never been here before, though I’d been curious about it.
Did they have a map? Nope. Of course not. Why would they? That would make my life easier. If I didn’t get Gramps’s gift tonight, then I’d be in everyone’s bad books again. That was not unusual.
My family was a nightmare. Gramps was funny, a working-class man who’d made a fortune.
Nana was the same. Both of them were down to earth.
So, explain to me how the hell they’d managed to have four arrogant sons, including my father.
And from those stuck-up assholes sprang eight grandsons and me.
And not a single one of the second generation had a stick up our ass.
Gramps thought it hysterical, while our parents failed to understand our lack of assholeness.
There was a formal family meal tonight, and we were giving Gramps his presents.
If I didn’t have mine, I’d be in huge trouble.
However, Saturday night would be a freaking blast. The grandchildren were taking the grandparents to a LGBTQ club.
One of my cousins, Aubrey, was a famous drag queen, and the community was holding a charity event.
Naturally, Aubrey’s parents had disowned him in a fit of shock.
We all had tickets to support Aubrey, and it was usually a fun night out. Especially if he got Thatcher, my brother, up to sing with him. But alas, first we had to sit through the stuffy dinner while we plotted chaos.
“Shit,” I muttered as I realised I’d raced around the bottom floor and not paid any attention.
Someone chuckled near me, and I glanced up. “Sorry! Hey, can you help? Any idea where the leather shop is?”
“Next level up, in the corner,” a guy replied.
“Thanks!” I gasped and took off.
I spotted it just as a bloke in jeans and a cut locked the door. “Excuse me! I’m so sorry! I’m a little late, but I have to collect an order.”
“Store’s closed,” he grunted as he continued locking up.
“Please, I apologise, but I really need that gift,” I insisted.
“Said, it’s shut.”
I ground my teeth and, determined to be polite, swallowed my temper. “Yes, I’m aware, but I’ve paid, and this is for my Gramp’s birthday. He’s seventy. I’ll pay extra if you let me collect it. Please.”
The guy turned around and faced me. Whatever he’d been about to say was halted as he stared.
“Sorry, I’m a mess! I know. There wasn’t time to change. I volunteer at an old people’s home, and as you can tell, Mr Jones really didn’t want his pie and gravy today,” I babbled.
“Or his… is that apple cobbler and custard?” he asked, grinning.
“Yup, took offence to that too.” Mr Jones, the asshole, had thrown his dinner and then dessert over me. And shit… I looked up at him. This guy was freaking gorgeous.
Laughing eyes scanned me up and down, and I hated that I was a mess. If only he could have seen me dressed up and in a sexy LBD.
“You’ve had a bad day,” he stated.
Resigned, I looked down at my jeans and tee. “Yeah, you could say that again.”
“Come on, I wouldn’t want to upset your grandfather,” he replied as I leaned forward a little and saw his name badge. Shotgun. Was that because he shot his load too early? Shotgun began howling with laughter, and a red heat crept up my neck and cheeks.
“No! I said that aloud, didn’t I?”
“Yeah. Jeez, lady, let’s get your gift before you say anything else, and I don’t get further insulted. And no woman has ever had any complaints about me shooting my load early,” Shotgun teased.
“God, I’m so sorry,” I babbled.
“It’s fine.” Shotgun opened the door and switched the lights on. “What was the surname?”
“Allegra Spalding. It’s a belt-and-wallet set with the name ‘Norman’ etched on both.”
“Ah, yeah, I got them. Here,” he said, reaching behind the counter and handing them to me. I checked the details and was highly impressed.
“These are stunning,” I praised.
“Thanks. My grandfather taught me how to work it by hand.”
“You made these? Dude, you possess some serious talent,” I exclaimed.
“Thanks again. If you don’t mind, I have to lock up,” Shotgun said.
“Oh, sorry, of course. Here, take this for your trouble.” I placed a twenty on the counter, and he shoved it back.
“Don’t want it.”
“But you reopened the store.”
“Still, don’t need it. Come on, lady, I’ve got somewhere to be.”
“Shit, I need to dash. Thank you so much, Shotgun, you saved my ass!” I cried and dashed off. I needed to shower, change, and arrive at my aunt and uncle’s. No time to waste!
Shotgun
Such a nice ass to save. Shotgun admired it in those tight-fitting jeans as Allegra rushed off.
He’d intended to get her phone number, but she’d raced away.
Shotgun knew it would be with the order, but he didn’t abuse personal information like that.
Oh well, it wasn’t meant to be. Despite being covered in food stains, there was a warmth and humour in her eyes.
Allegra had caught his attention, but it was too late now.
He made his way downstairs and nodded at the prospects who were doing the final walkthrough and chasing off any stragglers.
Shotgun headed for his bike; there was a cookout tonight at the club, unusual for a weekday, but whatever, he was attending.
Shotgun checked his phone to see if there was a message from Rain.
Today was important for this man; he was up before a panel, hoping they would approve his new experimental drug.
Rain had worked himself to the bone perfecting his formula.
For the last three years, Rain’s drug had been in pre-clinical trials. Now he was waiting for the answer to move to clinical trials. If that happened, it was a massive step for Rain. Even as he monitored the data, Rain had also been working on a new idea.
Shotgun knew that Rain was smart, way smarter than him, and he was damn proud of him. If Rain got the next stage approved, it would take approximately seven years before moving to the FDA for final approval.
Last night, Shotgun had been forced to talk Rain down, who’d worked himself up. Shotgun understood why. This drug would save millions of lives; this step for Rain was so important.
On edge for him, Shotgun straddled his Hog before heading out to the clubhouse.
After the cult had bombed them, Chance had bought a huge plot of land and rebuilt there.
The old clubhouse was now a car wash and a parking lot.
The garages and design shops had also moved there.
Behind them was the new clubhouse, and beyond that were the member’s private homes.
They were going up steadily, although his hadn’t been designed yet.
Being a single brother meant Shotgun was not a concern, and he didn’t mind.
Plus, living on club property would make meeting Rain even more difficult. His sisters were nosy bitches.
As he rode, Shotgun tried to figure out their next step.
Shotgun wasn’t ashamed of being bisexual; why the hell should he be?
But he was wary. After learning what happened to the former prospect, he became incredibly cautious.
In no way, shape, or form did Shotgun think his brothers would react like Zeus’s old lot, but there was still a sliver of uncertainty.
And to make matters worse? Rain was Chance and Bear’s brother-in-law.
No doubt the club would be shocked if Rain admitted being bi alongside him.
And they’d be on their backs to realise that he and Rain were in a relationship, but Shotgun had grown weary of the secrecy.
He loved Rain; that wasn’t going to change.
However, would they understand his and Rain’s need for a third—a woman to complete them?
Shotgun needed to be out in the open. He was tired. He’d speak to Rain and then make his move. The time for hiding was over.
Rain
I walked out of the lab with a huge grin on my face.
We’d got approval for clinical trials, which was a massive step forward.
The data had been perfect and bang on target, so that we could proceed to testing.
Several colleagues hovered around as they all congratulated each other.
Dr Mathews came and clapped me on the back.
“Well done! Well done! That was a great outcome. You must be feeling proud of yourself,” he beamed.
“It’s going to help a lot of people; this was a good result,” I replied.
“Indeed, it was. We’ve booked a restaurant to celebrate on Friday. We’ll be expecting you and a girlfriend, perhaps?” Dr Mathews suggested slyly.
“Ah, sorry, I’ve plans for Friday,” I said with a smile.
Dr Matthews’ joviality faded, and his eyes narrowed. “As a lead scientist on this, we expect you to attend. This is non-negotiable.”
“I was having a family—”
“We insist on rewarding you for your hard work.” Shit. Matthews wasn’t kidding.